Pastor Vardry A. Freeman’s’ 11^TH Anniversary

Sunday - October 16, 2011

The Pastor’s 11^th Anniversary Sunday morning worship began with devotion by the choir. Rev. Alfred Johnson presided over the program. Minister Pearl Turner introduced the speaker and recognition of the Pastor was given by Bro. Patrick McDonald of Kappa Alpha Psi, Bro. Thomas Conner of the Inner City SCA Board of Directors and a member of the Hopewell Masonic Lodge.

Pastor Robert E. Collins’ text was taken from Galatians 6:9. He stated that people would have us to believe that by going to church, singing in the choir, or ushering at the doors of the church makes them a Christian. People would also have us to believe that if you go to church and are the head of a ministry - that makes you a Christian. People would have us to believe that if you stand in the pulpit and can preach Gods’ Word that makes you a Christian. But you must know who you are before you can become Christ-like. We need to be able to praise God and seek Him earnestly and spiritually. And we need to know who God is in order to praise and worship Him. It was God who brought us out of our troubles and we need to praise him for who HE is and for what He has done for us. Pastor Collins told the congregation that if we can’t praise God for who He is, there is something is wrong with our religion.

People, he said, have the audacity to come to church thinking that God owes us a favor. Oftentimes we have our own agenda and act like God is in our way or holding us back. To Pastor Freeman, He said - ‘Pastor Freeman - don’t give up!’ It is important for GOD’S PEOPLE TO SET THEIR PRIORITIES RIGHT. There is no room in God’s house for big “If’s” and little “you”. If we want to go to heaven, we must give in to God’s plan - be a willing part of His agenda. Our main goal should be to let our light shine so that God can get the glory! It is God who keeps us. We should thank God for our being here. And faith brings us through our trials and tribulations.

Pastor Collins told the congregation that when people call you everything but a child of God and yet you remain cool and calm, faith lets you know that God is in control. We all struggle in this life - with everything! It takes a lot of effort to say something nice to someone because inside of us, we have a spiritual and a fleshly enemy. God does not allow us to wear a mask to conceal who we are. In order to be a Christian, we have to take the steps necessary to learn how to treat people.

Faith lifts you above the plains of sorrow and despair. God will bring you from your lowest points and anoint you to become a messenger for His holy Word. In the middle of a crisis, faith lets you know that weeping endures only for a night and glorious joy comes in the morning. There will be seasons of time when the best of us struggle with what is right, but God calls on us to pray in such a way that others will see God in us.

Continue with your visions Pastor Freeman, for your faith in Him has made you God’s child!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23 NKJNIV

Mary Sexton